Browse Tools and Policies Articles

The workplace can be a political minefield. While you may all work as a team, you're all most concerned with your own job,right? How your bosses see you can determine a raise, a promotion — or even if you keep your job. Navigating office politics is not an easy task, but avoiding potentially negative situations should be your first priority. If ...

This sample Performance Appraisal form is a confidential, handwritten report based on a meaningful two-way discussion with the employee. It uses a 5-number rating system, where 1 is the strongest and 5 is the weakest rating. This form is used to assess dependability, interpersonal relationships, job performance, initiative, job knowledge, attendance and punctuality, support of company policies, as well as safety ...

This Verification of Previous Employment form is used to gather information about an applicant’s previous employment history and contacts. It documents who was called, the contact phone number, and pertinent questions, such as length of previous employment, position held, title, reason for leaving, and whether the previous employer would consider rehiring the applicant. Verification of Previous Employment [gate] Applicant's Name: ___________________________________________________ ...

Alcohol Control Program Checklist Provide policy statement affirming the belief that alcoholism is an illness that can be treated successfully in most cases. The employer must show a readiness to help those with drinking problems. Both employer and employees should jointly develop and administer the program. Make available information and education about the nature of alcohol so as to dispel myths. ...

Characteristics of a Proper Workplace Investigation The characteristics of a proper investigation include: ● Selection of an appropriate investigator ● Promptness ● Open-mindedness ● Protection of participants from retaliation or reprisals ● Starts with open-ended questions and covers all the specifics ● Thoroughness (all parties and potential witnesses are interviewed and all relevant work records and other documents are reviewed) ...

Hiring Checklist Write a job description for the vacant position or review the old one, updating the duties required. Make a skills profile which lists the precise duties of the position and the skills needed to accomplish these duties in a minimally acceptable manner. Receive applications and evaluate them. Notify unqualified candidates. Rank qualified ones. Schedule interviews. Prepare specific open-ended ...

_The **Access to Personnel Files** policy establishes who has legal access to personnel employment, medical, and immigration records, and when that access should be granted. It further addresses the following: additions to records, corrections to records, access by other employees and supervisors, and access by nonemployees. It also covers situations when the Legal Department should be contacted during the course of ...

_The **Attendance Policy** is designed to document the Company’s philosophy on attendance, employee reporting procedure, employee and supervisory reports, counseling, discipline, and preventive measures._ h4. Subject: Attendance h4. Organization: Anonymous h4. Example of: Standard Policy h4. Our Philosophy Absenteeism is controllable. All employees are expected to be at work, on time, all the time. An absence is a failure to report ...

_The **Blogging Policy** defines scope and usage of blogs by employees. It covers written permission needed to post Company information, who is authorized to post anything about the Company, and allowable content regarding Company matters._ h4. Subject: Blogging h4. Organization: Anonymous h4. Example of: Standard Policy Employees may maintain personal websites or Web logs (blogs) on their own time using their ...

_The **Flextime policy** states that the Company seeks to establish the place and hours of work that make the best use of our employees’ knowledge, skills, abilities, and time. The Company offers various alternative work schedules. These alternatives are flextime, compressed workweeks, part-time schedules, job-sharing, and working at home. A flextime schedule may be created to accommodate a person with a ...

_The **Gambling policy** states the Company’s view on gambling, what it considers gambling, and what is exempt from that definition. It also states the recourse for violations and warns of inspections of employee equipment and workspaces for evidence of gambling._ h4. Subject: Gambling h4. Organization: Anonymous h4. Example of: Standard Policy Gambling is not permitted on Company property during work hours, ...

_The **Garnishments policy** defines garnishments as a court order to an employer to withhold a sum of money from an employee’s wages or salary. A federal levy, which takes precedence over all other garnishments, can take 100 percent of all money due to an employee as of that date. However, it is common for the employee to be allowed to pay ...

_The **Anti-Harassment Policy** states that the Company will investigate any report of harassment to obtain details of the conduct. It also states the interview procedure that will be followed and who will be part of the investigation team, as well as discipline measures._ h4. Subject: Investigation of Harassment h4. Organization: Anonymous h4. Example of: Standard h4. Investigation of Harassment Interview the ...

_The **Investigations policy** states the Company reserves the right to use any lawful method of investigation which in its sole discretion it deems reasonable and necessary to determine whether any employee has engaged in conduct warranting disciplinary action. All employees are expected to cooperate in any investigation. Failure to cooperate may lead to discipline, up to and including discharge. False information ...

_The **Retirement policy** aids the employee who plans to retire. It states what actions (formal or informal) the company will take on the occasion of a retirement starting at age 62._ h4. Subject: Retirement h4. Organization: Anonymous h4. Example of: Standard Policy h4. Purpose: To aid the employee who plans to retire, we have established a retirement plan which offers the ...

_The **Sexual Harassment Training policy** provides information on training to all employees, hourly and salary. Initial training using a videotape, handouts, fill-in-the-blank, and open-book test is recommended. Follow-up training should also be provided. The policy lists areas to be covered in training. A copy of the signed and dated test will be placed in the employee’s file._ h4. Subject: Sexual Harassment ...

_The purpose of the **Smoking policy** is to control smoking in enclosed public areas and workplaces under the control of the company and to protect the health and comfort of its employees and customers. It covers enforcement of the policy and alternative provisions. You must check state law and local ordinances before adapting any of the following to your company’s policy._ ...

_The **Telecommuting policy** allows employees to work at home, on the road, or in a satellite location for all or part of their regular workweek. Telecommuting is a work alternative that may be appropriate for some employees and some jobs. It is not an entitlement; it is not a companywide benefit; and it does not change the terms and conditions of ...